Lake Janus and Grizzly Peak — Friday, Jun. 17, 2016

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - East

Smithbrook road is in fine shape with few potholes. Beginning of trail up the the PCT is heavily eroded. Drainage failed. It will take crews many days to build stone steps or crib steps to repair. Starting near the top of the switchbacks is a series of big nasty messy blowdowns with lots of branches. We cleared some of the mess but it will take sawyers to open up the trail sufficiently. Snow starts before we reached the junction with the PCT. We explored a bit of the trail to Lake Valhalla. There is huge blowdown blocking the path right at the beginning and more later. We took the trail to Lake Janus which had some blowdowns but not nearly as many. Lake Janus was soggy around the edges but very pleasant in the sunshine. We were greeted by low flying military jets which shook the ground as they flew overhead. My friend left her hiking boots in the Smithbrook parking lot. If you rescue them call Janice at 206-322-2436. Reward offered.